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John Lennon signature

Hello All! I purchased the attached small John Lennon signature from Tracks a few years ago. It was partly as a test to see whether I could make money on an autograph - I’ve always had my doubts about whether it’s really easy (possible) to make money in this game or not. I purchased it from Tracks in order to be pretty confident of its authenticity as I didn’t want that discussion with anyone later on when I tried to sell it on, but of course I paid a premium (I think) because of that. I recently tried to get a value on it from RR Auction, however they told me that it’s not ‘nice’ enough for them to even consider!

Interested on anyone’s thoughts as to whether this was a good investment or not! (I’m bracing myself for the feedback). If it’s not worth much now then I’ll just hang onto it and try again in say 10 years time ...

yours, UK based autograph collector

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Permalink Reply by Ralph Bullock on February 22, 2020 at 3:39am

Excellent! I didn’t know that. I’ll google it a bit. Thank you for the hint!

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Permalink Reply by Invest_In_Graphs on February 23, 2020 at 7:05am

If you want to flip an autograph, it is unlikely that you will buy anything at a retail level and expect to turn a profit soon thereafter. Options:

1) You have to find an autograph at more of a wholesale level, meaning that it doesn't come from Tracks, Caiazzo, Christie's, etc. True, you're facing a certain amount of risk when you buy without a letter, but if you're confident in your authentication skills, you should be fine.

2) Buy at either a retail or wholesale level and sit on it for years, and then sell as-is.

3) Buy at either a retail or wholesale level and improve the item. In this case, you could do that by matting your Lennon with a brilliant display, probably showing them in concert. With the history of this Lennon that was mentioned earlier, print that information out for the next buyer. Or, hold out to find 1966 versions of the others and matte them all together with a photo of them in concert that year, perhaps at Candlestick Park, which was there last touring concert.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on February 23, 2020 at 10:31am

I like #3 myself with the item itself intrinsically valuable such as a copyrighted still or candid. Finding "new" qualities - additional info on subject esp if candid signed photo, types of paper stock, the photographer, many times these things go unnoticed but can add significantly.